Apparatus for joining the slide-bolt and the barrel-frame of a firearm

ABSTRACT

A first member of at least partly tubular configuration is keyed to a solid member disposed within the tubular member by means of a lock piece. In a firearm, the tubular member, which is provided with a cut out extending generally transverse to the path of motion of the slide, will comprise the slide and the solid member, which is provided with a recess for receiving the lock piece, will comprise the bolt. The lock piece will have a size and shape at least commensurate with the combined dimensions of the slide cut out and bolt recess, which will be aligned, and will be retained in position by an axial pin having a bent over and forwardly extending spring loaded locking tab which engages the exterior of the slide. In the environment of a firearm the invention further comprises the frame having a precision barrel bedding recess and a barrel characterized by two diameters with a portion of the smaller diameter barrel section defining the barrel bedding; the remainder of the smaller diameter barrel section being circumscribed by a collar.

[11] 3,723,939 Apr. 24, 1973 United States Patent Wilhelm ABSTRACT 1541APPARATUS FOR JOINING THE SLIDE-BOLT AND THE BARREL- [57] FRAME OF AFIREARM A first member of at least partly tubular configuration is keyedto a solid member disposed within the tubular member by means of a lockpiece. In a firearm, the tu- [75] Inventor: Gary Wilhelm, Hamden, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Plainfield Ordinance Corporation,

Middlesex, NJ.

, will comprise the slide and the solid the slide [22] Filed: Sept. 24,1971 member, which is provided with a recess for receiving the lockpiece, will comprise the bolt. The lock piece Appl. No.: 183,601

will have a size and shape at least commensurate with the combineddimensions of the slide cut out and bolt O 7 0 9 H5 2 c 9 45 75 9A 0 1M54 16/4 9 4 00 Field of Search..................

L C t n I ll 00 55 [.1

gages the exterior of the slide. In the environment of a [56] ReferencesC'ted firearm the invention further comprises the frame hav- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS ing a precision barrel bedding recess and a barrelcharacterized by two diameters with a portion of the 42/7 A smallerdiameter barrel section defining the barrel '89/196 bedding; theremainder of the smaller diameter barrel 747,585 12/1903Browning............................ 1,181,416 5/1916 section beingcircumscribed by a collar. Primary Examiner-Stephen C. BentleyAttorney-David S. F ishman et al. 12 Claims, 4 Drawing FiguresPATENTEDAFRM 1975 3,728,939

I I SHLU 2 M 2 APPARATUS FOR JOINING THE SLIDE-BOLT AND THE BARREL-FRAMEOF A FIREARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thepresent invention relates to mechanical apparatus which may be easilyassembled and disassembled and wherein the components will be preciselyaligned in the assembled position. More specifically, l

this invention is directed to firearms characterized by ease and economyof manufacture and a high degree of accuracy. Accordingly, the generalobjects of the present invention are to provide novel and improvedapparatus of such character.

2. Description of the Prior Art While the present invention may beemployed wherever it is desired to fasten two or more shafts securelytogether and be able to assemble and disassemble the thus securedelements rapidly and without tools, the invention has been found to beparticularly useful in the firearms art. In firearms, and particularlyin the case of self-loading and/or semi-automatic and automaticfirearms, particularly of the blow back or unlocked breach type, it isoften desirable to employ a two piece slide. Such a two piece slideassembly includes a slide member and a bolt and the weapon is assembledby inserting the slide onto the frame from the muzzle end and the boltis thereafter assembled into the slide from the opposite end. Inoperation the slide assembly, that is the bolt and slide, move as aunit. The easiest manner ofjoining the bolt to the slide, or in fact forjoining any two shafts or components, constitutes the drilling of a holethrough both parts and inserting therethrough a cross pin. In thefirearms art, however, the force of detonation of a cartridge and theresulting reciprocating motion of the slide assembly may result in sucha cross pin becoming fatigued and thus being prone to shear. Theshearing of a cross pin employed to join the bolt and slide of a pistolwould result in the loose bolt being expelled from the weapon to therear thus possibly causing severe injury.

Continuing further with a discussion of the firearms art, the desirableattributes of a hand gun include ease of assembly, without specialtools, and accuracy. These attributes have previously been thought to bemutually exclusive. That is, hand gun design has previously been acompromise between maintaining good alignment between the barrel, slideand frame and facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the weaponfor cleaning or other purposes.

With further respect to the accuracy of prior art weapons, those handguns which have previously been characterized by a high degree ofaccuracy have also been comparatively expensive. The comparatively highexpense of quality prior art hand guns is, at least in part,attributable to the design of the barrels and slides which requiredcomplex and thus expensive precision machining operations in order toobtain the requisite alignment between the barrel, slide and frame.Accordingly, the art has long desired a weapon which was comparativelyinexpensive to manufacture while retaining the requisite accuracy.

As a consequence of the expense of ammunition, it has also long beendesired to provide a hand gun wherein the caliber of the weapon could bechanged while retaining the weight and feel thereof. Weapons of thistype have been proposed for use as both service and practice weapons bylaw enforcement officers. While attempts have previously been made toprovide weapons of changeable caliber, such prior art changeable handguns have either been very expensive or highly inaccurate and, in anyevent, have not maintained constant handling characteristics withchanges in caliber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the abovebriefly discussed and numerous other deficiencies and disadvantages ofthe prior art by providing a novel manner for securing together a pairof movable components; the invention being particularly well suited foruse in weapons. In the environment ofa hand gun the present invention isalso characterized by a high degree of accuracy and ease of assembly anddisassembly. Further in the environment ofa weapon the present inventionis characterized by the ability to change caliber by replacing themagazine, bolt and barrel while retaining use of the frame and slide.

In accordance with the present invention a member which is at leastpartially tubular is keyed to a solid member, the solid member being atleast partly circumscribed by the tubular member, by means of a lockpiece. Considering a firearm, the partly tubular member will be theslide and the solid member will be the bolt. The bolt is provided with arecess and the slide is provided with an aligned cut out; the cut outand recess being generally transverse to the direction of movement ofthe members. The lock piece is a solid body having a size and shape atleast commensurate with combined dimensions of the recess and cut outwhereby the reciprocating forces will be delivered from the slide to thebolt via the lock piece. Retention of the lock piece in the bolt recessis insured with a spring loaded locking pin which extends through thelock piece and coaxially of the path of motion of the bolt. The lockingpin has an end portion which is bent outwardly and forwardly and whichsnaps into a locking groove at the exterior of the slide.

In the environment of a weapon, the present invention is alsocharacterized by a frame having a precision machined barrel beddingrecess and a unique barrel having a precisely machined bedding whichcooperates with the bedding recess to insure precise alignment of thecomponents. The barrel is characterized by the two diameters, preferablyconcentric, with the smaller diameter portion being located intermediatethe ends of the larger diameter portion and being partly encircled by aspring loaded barrel collar. The are of the smaller diameter portionwhich is not enclosed within the barrel collar will define the barrelbedding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be betterunderstood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparentto those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawingwherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the severalfigures and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a hand gun in accordance with andembodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of apparatus for securing a pairof components together in accordance with the invention, FIG. 2depicting several of the elements of FIG. 1 in assembled position;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional front view, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1,of the novel barrel of the weapon shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrel collar of FIGS. 1 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to FIG. 1, aself-loading piston in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention is shown in an exploded view. The weapon of FIG. 1 includes,as major subassemblies, the frame 10, barrel 12, slide 14 and bolt 16.As will be described in greater detail below, slide 14 and bolt 16 willbe joined together by means of a locking piece 18 and pin 20 when theweapon is assembled.

The frame subassembly includes a shelf 22, a barrel bedding recess 24and a pair of oppositely disposed slide guide grooves 26 and associatedlands. The frame subassembly provides a housing for the drive spring 28and its associated support rod 30. Also mounted in frame subassembly 10is the trigger mechanism 32 and it is to be noted that, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, spring 28 and pin30 pass through an aperture, not shown, in trigger 32 in the interest ofa more compact reciprocating design. Also mounted in frame subassembly10 is the hammer mechanism 34 and the magazine, not shown. The magazineand various other elements such as the safety mechanism, not shown, areall conventional components and thus have been omitted from the drawingin the interest of facilitating understanding of the invention. Aparticularly novel feature of the present invention is the design of theframe assembly which facilitates precision machining of the barrelbedding recess 24 through the expedient of a plunge cut with ahorizontal milling machine. The precision recess, in combination withthe unique design of barrel assembly 12 and slide assembly 14, insuresprecise alignment between the three subassemblies.

Considering now jointly FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the barrel subassemblycomprises the barrel and a barrel collar 36, In accordance with thepresent invention, the barrel is formed with two different diameters,the larger or major diameter portion being indicated at 38 and thesmaller or minor diameter portion being indicated at 40. The design ofthe barrel with two diameters permits the barrel to be manufactured withminimum cost through employment, in the obtaining of the outer diameter,of a centerless grinding (turning) operation. Accordingly, the barrelsof the present invention are less expensive, when compared to prior artdevices of like character, while nevertheless being preciselydimensioned components. The larger diameter portion 38 of the barrel isprovided with a rearwardly extending slot which communicates with thesmaller diameter portion 40 and an extension or tongue 41 of collar 36fits into this slot. The collar 36 is formed of spring steel and, wheninstalled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, becomes a permanent part of thebarrel subassembly 12. The shoulders 42 and 44 defined by opposite endsof collar 36 will, with the barrel snapped into place in the frame,engage the top of the frame at opposite sides of the barrel beddingrecess 24 and the collar 36 will thus prevent the barrel from turning.Collar 36, of course, defines an are greater than 180 and the remainingexposed section of smaller diameter portion 41) of the barrel, whichdefines the barrel bedding, will rest in barrel recess 24 whereby therear end of the barrel will be supported by engagement between twoprecision machined surfaces. It may be noted that the forward end of thebarrel could be turned down to permit the barrel to also function as thedrive spring guide.

Slide subassembly 14 is machined from a single piece. The innerclearance hole for the bolt subassembly l6 and barrel subassembly 12 isdrilled and reamed thus further minimizing manufacturing expense. Thedownwardly extending extension 46, with the weapon assembled, will rideon frame shelf 22 and will function as a stop to limit rearward motionof the slide by cooperating with a stop surface 48 which is integralwith the frame. The slide subassembly 14 will have, internally thereof,precision machined lands and grooves which cooperate with guide grooves26 and their associated lands on the frame. The bottom surfaces of slide14 will also cooperate with the surfaces 52 of the frame to insurealignment of the frame and slide. The forward end of the barrel will bereceived in and supported by the precision drilled aperture 54 at theforward end of the slide subassem bly 14. The extension 46 of the slidesubassembly 14 is also provided with an aperture 56; aperture 56 havinga counter bore; the junction between the two portions of aperture 56providing a shoulder against which the forward end of spring 28 isseated. The guide rod 30 for spring 28 will pass through the smallerdiameter portion of aperture 56 and may, if desired, be provided with aneasily removable cap or plug ofincreased diameter.

Considering further the slide subassembly 14, it is to be noted that theslide is provided with an arcuate cutout, indicated generally at 58,adjacent its rearward disposed end. Cutout 58 is commensurate in size,for the purposes to be explained below, with the locking piece 18. Theslide 14 is also provided with a generally L-shaped groove 60 whichcommunicates with the top rear end of the slide. Groove 60 receives, forthe purposes to be described below also, a locking portion of pin 20.

The bolt subassembly 16 will provide the housing for the firing pin, notshown, and the cartridge ejector 62. With the weapon in the assembledcondition, the bolt subassembly 16 is, in the manner to be describedbelow, joined to the slide subassembly 14 and moves therewith. The bolt16 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterizedby a recess 64 machined in its upper surface. Recess 64, with the weaponin the assembled condition, will be aligned with cutout 58 in slide 14and the width of recess 54 and cutout 58 will be substantially equal tothe width of locking piece 18. The bolt 16 is also provided with a slot66 which communicates with the rear top surface of the bolt and extendsforward of recess 64. The bolt is further provided with a pair ofrearwardly extending arms 68 which provide clearance for hammer 34. Itis particularly to be observed that, like the barrel, the bolt may beprecisely machined at relatively low cost by means of an inexpensive andinherently accurate turning operation.

It may be noted that the locking piece 18 also defines the rear sight 70of the weapon. The rear sight could, however, be formed on the topsurface of slide 14 or affixed thereto in the same manner as the frontsight 72. Locking piece 18 is also provided with a bore 74 which iscommensurate in size and shape with the major portion of pin 20. Thelength of bore 74 will be longer than its diameter with a 5:1 ratiohaving been employed in one operative embodiment. Also, if desired, thelocking piece 18 can be utilized to retain the firing pin in the bolt.

The pin 20 is formed from spring steel. Preferably, but not necessarily,the end of the spring which is bent up and over to define a lockingmember commensurate in size and shape with groove 60 in the top of slide14 will be flattened as shown. The locking portion of pin 20 includes anL-shaped tab member 76 which is spring loaded toward the major portionof the pin whereby it will snap into and be self-locking in groove 60.

Presuming that the weapon of FIG. 1 has been taken apart for cleaning orother maintenance procedure, the first step in assembly comprisesreinsertion of spring 28 and rod 30. Thereafter, the barrel will bepositioned on the frame with the bottom of the minor diameter portion 40resting in bedding recess 24. As noted above, the completely concentricbarrel 12 has two diameters, the major diameter 38 being substantiallythe same as the bolt diameter. The spring collar 36 surrounds a majorportion of the minor diameter section 40 of the barrel and rotation ofcollar 36 is prevented by engagement of the tongue 41 with thecooperating slot in the major diameter portion of the barrel. Whenassembled in the manner described the shoulders 42 and 44 defined by theends of collar 36 abut against the top of the frame thereby preventingthe barrel from turning and keeping the extractor slot, not shownaligned with the extractor 62 on the bolt.

With the barrel held in position, the slide subassembly 14 is insertedfrom the forward or muzzle end whereby the front end of major diameterportion 38 of barrel 12 will be inserted in aperture 54 and the end ofpin will pass through aperture 56. In order to facilitate assembly, theslide may be manually urged toward the rear, thus compressing spring 28,and will be held in the full rearward position by the safety mechanism,not shown, which is mounted on the left side of the frame and inoperative relationship to a eutout in the bottom left side of slide 14.Next, the bolt subassembly 16 will be inserted into slide 14 from therear and will bemoved forwardly until the recess 64 is in alignment withthe slide cutout 58. The locking piece 18 will then be dropped intoposition from the top. Finally, the pin 20 will be inserted from therear into the slot 66 in the top of the bolt 16; the pin passing throughthe bore 74 in locking member 18. The pin will be urged forwardlywhereby the locking portion 76 thereof will pass up and over the top ofslide 14 and snap down into the L.-shaped locking groove 60. Assembly ofthe weapon will thereupon be completed. Disassembly will, of course,proceed in the opposite sequence with the locking portion 76 of pin 20being raised out of engagement with groove 611 and removed to the rearas the first step.

In operation, the forces generated by detonation of a cartridge in thechamber of barrel 12 will result, in a manner well known in the art, inthe slide and bolt being driven rearwardly until the slide memberportion 46 contacts frame stop 48. As the bolt moves rearwardly theextractor 62 will remove the spent cartridge case from the chamber andthe cartridge case will be ejected through the ejection port 80 providedtherefor in the side of the slide 14. During rearward movement, theslide pushes against the front of lock piece 13 and motion of the slideis thus transmitted to the bolt via the locking piece. It is to be notedthat the locking piece 18 will be formed of the quality steel, such asSAE 4140 or equivalent, and will preferably be heat treated as to beable to withstand the forces imparted thereto. It may' also be notedthat the lock piece 18 has no sharp corners, which are stress raisers,and has ideal grain flow.

On the closing stroke, the drive spring 28 urges the slide 14 forwardlyas far as it will go. During forward motion, the slide pushes againstthe rear area of lock piece 18 and the lock piece in turn pushes thebolt against the breach face. When the bolt stops against the breachface of the barrel the force of the drive spring will push the slideagainst the lock piece and it in turn against the bolt closing the gapcompletely. During forward motion the bolt will, of course, carry a newcartridge from the magazine into the chamber.

To review several of the attributes of the invention, it may be notedthat all the forces generated during detonation and subsequent rearwardmotion of the slide and bolt and also during forward motion of the slideand bolt under influence of the drive spring act upon the lock piece 18.Thus, there are no forces on the locking pin 20. It is also to be notedthat the lock piece 18 may be formed so as to blend perfectly with theslide outer configuration without any external projections orindentations. The lock piece can not tilt or tip since, as noted above,the lock pin aperture is longer than its diameter thereby enabling thelock pin to guide the lock piece with a long bearing surface in relationto its diameter.

The caliber of weapons employing the present invention may be changedmerely by replacing the magazine, the bolt and barrel. This permits thesame frame and slide to be used and enables the weapon to fireinexpensive ammunition while retaining the weight and feel associatedwith the service or regular caliber weapon.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, variousmodifications and substitutions may be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, while theweapon shown in FIG. 1 employs a cylindrical slide, any shape slidemember may be chosen and a lock piece formed to fit the member. Also,while the invention has been shown in the environment of a blow backtype weapon, it is suitable for use in many types of weapons includingthose of the locked breach self loading, submachine, semi and fullyautomatic rifle and cartridge cannon types. The invention also hasutility outside of the firearms art and is particularly well suited foruse where a solid and hollow shaft rotate in concert inside a guide tubeand must partly leave the guide tubesuch as, for example, in earthboring equipment. Accordingly, it is to be noted that the presentinvention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm comprising:

frame means;

barrel means, said barrel means including a barrel having a chamber atone end thereof, said barrel means supported by said frame means atleast adjacent a first end of said barrel means;

a slide member mounted for reciprocating motion on said frame meansrelative to said barrel means, said slide member defining a channel,said slide member further being provided with a cut out which extendsgenerally transversely of the axis of said barrel and which providescommunication between the exterior of said slide member and saidchannel;

bolt means mounted for reciprocating motion relative to said chamber, atleast part of said bolt means being commensurate in size and shape withsaid slide member channel whereby said bolt means is received in saidslide member, said bolt means further being provided with a recess inits external surface, said recess being aligned with said slide membercut out and being substantially equal in width to the width of saidslide member cut out and having a maximum length substantially equal tosaid slide member cut out maximum length, said bolt means further havinga slot in its exterior surface, said slot extending inwardly from therearwardly facing end of said bolt means and extending on both sides ofsaid recess;

a locking member having a size and shape at least commensurate with thesize and shape of the opening defined by said slide member cut out andbolt means recess, said locking member being positioned in said recessand cut out whereby motion of said slide member is transmitted to saidbolt means by said locking member, said locking member being furthercharacterized by an aperture therethrough which is aligned with saidbolt means slot; and

locking pin means received in said bolt means slot, said locking pinpassing through said locking member aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slide member is furthercharacterized by a locking groove in its external surface, at least aportion of said locking groove extending generally transversely of saidbarrel axis, and wherein said locking pin means comprises:

an elongated portion having a size and shape commensurate with thecombined dimensions of said bolt means groove and locking memberaperture;

a spring loaded locking portion extending from one end of said elongatedportion, said locking portion being partly commensurate in size andshape with said slide member locking groove whereby said locking portionof said pin may be snapped into position in said locking groove.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pin means locking portioncomprises:

an extension of said pin means elongated portion,

said extension being bent over so as to form a portion orientedgenerally parallel to said elongated portion, said bent over portionalso having a tab extending generally transversely of said barrel axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame means further comprises:

drive spring means, said spring means engaging a portion of said slidemember for urging said slide member to a forward position; and aprecision machined barrel bedding recess for supporting said barrelmeans adjacent a first end of said barrel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said barrel means comprises:

a barrel, said barrel having a first cylindrical portion with a firstdiameter and a second cylindrical portion located intermediate the endsof said first portion, the diameter of said second portion being lessthan that of said first portion, the length of said second portion beingcommensurate with the width of said frame means barrel bedding recess;and

a collar mounted on said barrel and partly circumscribing said secondportion thereof, the arc of said second portion of said barrel notcircumscribed by said collar cooperating with said barrel bedding recessto provide precision mounting of said barrel, the oppositely disposedends of said collar cooperating with said frame means to either side ofsaid barrel bedding recess to prevent turning of said barrel.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said frame means further comprises:

drive spring means, said spring means engaging a portion of said slidemember for urging said slide member to a forward position; and aprecision machined barrel bedding recess for supporting said barrelmeans adjacent a first end of said barrel.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said barrel means comprises:

a barrel, said barrel having a first cylindrical portion with a firstdiameter and a second cylindrical portion located intermediate the endsof said first portion, the diameter of said second portion being lessthan that of said first portion, the length of said second portion beingcommensurate with the width of said frame means barrel bedding recess;and

a collar mounted on said barrel and partly circumscribing said secondportion thereof, the arc of said second portion of said barrel notcircumscribed by said collar cooperating with said barrel bedding recessto provide precision mounting of said barrel, the oppositely disposedends of said collar cooperating with said frame means to either side ofsaid barrel bedding recess to prevent turning of said barrel.

8. A firearm comprising:

frame means, said frame means being provided with a precision machinedarcuate barrel bedding recess;

a barrel, said barrel being generally of cylindrical shape and having aportion of reduced outer diameter located intermediate its ends, saidportion of reduced diameter having a width commensurate with the widthof said frame means barrel bedding recess;

a spring loaded barrel collar circumscribing said reduced diameterportion of said barrel, the opposite ends of said collar cooperatingwith said frame means to prevent rotation of said barrel and the exposedsurface of said reduced diameter portion disposed between said collarends operating with said frame means barrel bedding recess to preciselyalign said barrel relative to said frame;

slide means mounted for reciprocating motion on said frame meansrelative to said barrel;

bolt means mounted for reciprocatingmotion with said slide means; and

means for securing said bolt means to said slide means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said slide means comprises:

a slide member which defines a channel, said channel partlycircumscribing said barrel, said slide member being provided with a cutout which extends generally transversely of the axis of said barrel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bolt means comprises:

a bolt member commensurate in size and shape with said slide memberchannel whereby said bolt member is received in said channel, said boltmember being provided with a recess in its external surface and alignedwith said slide member cut out, said bolt member also having an externalslot extending from its rearwardly facing end to a point forwardly ofsaid recess.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said securing means comprises:

a locking member positioned in said bolt member recess, said lockingmember being sufficiently larger than said recess so as to contact edgesof slide member cut out during motion thereof whereby motion of saidslide member is transmitted to said bolt member by said locking member,said locking member further having an aperture therethrough, saidaperture being aligned with said bolt member external slot; and

a locking pin received in said bolt member external slot and passingthrough said locking member aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said slide member is furthercharacterized by a locking groove in its external surface, at least aportion of said locking groove extending generally transversely of saidbarrel axis, and wherein said locking pin comprises:

an elongated portion having a size and shape commensurate with thecombined dimensions of said bolt member groove and locking memberaperture;

aspring loaded locking portion extending from one end of said elongatedportion, said locking portion being partly commensurate in size andshape with said slide member locking groove whereby said locking portionof said pin may be snapped into position in said locking groove.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said pin locking portioncomprises:

an extension of said pin elongated portion, said extension being bentover so as to form a portion oriented generally parallel to saidelongated portion, said bent over portion also having a tab extendinggenerally transversely of said barrel axis.

1. A firearm comprising: frame means; barrel means, said barrel meansincluding a barrel having a chamber at one end thereof, said barrelmeans supported by said frame means at least adjacent a first end ofsaid barrel means; a slide member mounted for reciprocating motion onsaid frame means relative to said barrel means, said slide memberdefining a channel, said slide member further being provided with a cutout which extends generally transversely of the axis of said barrel andwhich provides communication between the exterior of said slide memberand said channel; bolt means mounted for reciprocating motion relativeto said chamber, at least part of said bolt means being commensurate insize and shape with said slide member channel whereby said bolt means isreceived in said slide member, said bolt means further being providedwith a recess in its external surface, said recess being aligned withsaid slide member cut out and being substantially equal in width to thewidth of said slide member cut out and having a maximum lengthsubstantially equal to said slide member cut out maximum length, saidbolt means further having a slot in its exterior surface, said slotextending inwardly from the rearwardly facing end of said bolt means andextending on both sides of said recess; a locking member having a sizeand shape at least commensurate with the size and shape of the openingdefined by said slide member cut out and bolt means recess, said lockingmember being positioned in said recess and cut out whereby motion ofsaid slide member is transmitted to said bolt means by said lockingmember, said locking member being further characterized by an aperturetherethrough which is aligned with said bolt means slot; and locking pinmeans received in said bolt means slot, said locking pin passing throughsaid locking member aperture.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidslide member is further characterized by a locking groove in itsexternal surface, at least a portion of said locking groove extendinggenerally transversely of said barrel axis, and wherein said locking pinmeans comprises: an elongated portion having a size and shapecommensurate with the combined dimensions of said bolt means groove andlocking member aperture; a spring loaded locking portion extending fromone end of said elongated portion, said locking portion being partlycommensurate in size and shape with Said slide member locking groovewhereby said locking portion of said pin may be snapped into position insaid locking groove.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said pin meanslocking portion comprises: an extension of said pin means elongatedportion, said extension being bent over so as to form a portion orientedgenerally parallel to said elongated portion, said bent over portionalso having a tab extending generally transversely of said barrel axis.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame means further comprises:drive spring means, said spring means engaging a portion of said slidemember for urging said slide member to a forward position; and aprecision machined barrel bedding recess for supporting said barrelmeans adjacent a first end of said barrel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein said barrel means comprises: a barrel, said barrel having afirst cylindrical portion with a first diameter and a second cylindricalportion located intermediate the ends of said first portion, thediameter of said second portion being less than that of said firstportion, the length of said second portion being commensurate with thewidth of said frame means barrel bedding recess; and a collar mounted onsaid barrel and partly circumscribing said second portion thereof, thearc of said second portion of said barrel not circumscribed by saidcollar cooperating with said barrel bedding recess to provide precisionmounting of said barrel, the oppositely disposed ends of said collarcooperating with said frame means to either side of said barrel beddingrecess to prevent turning of said barrel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3wherein said frame means further comprises: drive spring means, saidspring means engaging a portion of said slide member for urging saidslide member to a forward position; and a precision machined barrelbedding recess for supporting said barrel means adjacent a first end ofsaid barrel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said barrel meanscomprises: a barrel, said barrel having a first cylindrical portion witha first diameter and a second cylindrical portion located intermediatethe ends of said first portion, the diameter of said second portionbeing less than that of said first portion, the length of said secondportion being commensurate with the width of said frame means barrelbedding recess; and a collar mounted on said barrel and partlycircumscribing said second portion thereof, the arc of said secondportion of said barrel not circumscribed by said collar cooperating withsaid barrel bedding recess to provide precision mounting of said barrel,the oppositely disposed ends of said collar cooperating with said framemeans to either side of said barrel bedding recess to prevent turning ofsaid barrel.
 8. A firearm comprising: frame means, said frame meansbeing provided with a precision machined arcuate barrel bedding recess;a barrel, said barrel being generally of cylindrical shape and having aportion of reduced outer diameter located intermediate its ends, saidportion of reduced diameter having a width commensurate with the widthof said frame means barrel bedding recess; a spring loaded barrel collarcircumscribing said reduced diameter portion of said barrel, theopposite ends of said collar cooperating with said frame means toprevent rotation of said barrel and the exposed surface of said reduceddiameter portion disposed between said collar ends operating with saidframe means barrel bedding recess to precisely align said barrelrelative to said frame; slide means mounted for reciprocating motion onsaid frame means relative to said barrel; bolt means mounted forreciprocating motion with said slide means; and means for securing saidbolt means to said slide means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein saidslide means comprises: a slide member which defines a channel, saidchannel partly circumscribing said barrel, said slide member beingproVided with a cut out which extends generally transversely of the axisof said barrel.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said bolt meanscomprises: a bolt member commensurate in size and shape with said slidemember channel whereby said bolt member is received in said channel,said bolt member being provided with a recess in its external surfaceand aligned with said slide member cut out, said bolt member also havingan external slot extending from its rearwardly facing end to a pointforwardly of said recess.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein saidsecuring means comprises: a locking member positioned in said boltmember recess, said locking member being sufficiently larger than saidrecess so as to contact edges of said slide member cut out during motionthereof whereby motion of said slide member is transmitted to said boltmember by said locking member, said locking member further having anaperture therethrough, said aperture being aligned with said bolt memberexternal slot; and a locking pin received in said bolt member externalslot and passing through said locking member aperture.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein said slide member is further characterized by alocking groove in its external surface, at least a portion of saidlocking groove extending generally transversely of said barrel axis, andwherein said locking pin comprises: an elongated portion having a sizeand shape commensurate with the combined dimensions of said bolt membergroove and locking member aperture; a spring loaded locking portionextending from one end of said elongated portion, said locking portionbeing partly commensurate in size and shape with said slide memberlocking groove whereby said locking portion of said pin may be snappedinto position in said locking groove.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12wherein said pin locking portion comprises: an extension of said pinelongated portion, said extension being bent over so as to form aportion oriented generally parallel to said elongated portion, said bentover portion also having a tab extending generally transversely of saidbarrel axis.